Parliament passes Tough Anti homosexual bill.

In Summary
  • Persons convicted of aggravated homosexuality will be sentenced to death.
  • The bill has introduced a penalty of 3 years imprisonment for children who will be caught in the act.
  • Licenses for Media houses that are found publishing materials to promote homosexuality, their licenses will be revoked for a period of not less than 10 years.
Mps in session that passed the Anti gay bill
Image: Parliament of Uganda

Out of a total of  549  Members of Parliament, 389  participated in the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality bill with a maximum sentence of death to persons convicted of aggravated homosexuality.  

Aggravated homosexuality has been described as an act committed on a child, by a parent, guardian, or relative and the victim suffers mental health illness, contracts a terminal illness, or the person who has committed the offense is a serial offender. 

A person who attempts to commit aggravated homosexuality will be liable to 14 years imprisonment upon conviction, and those convicted of involvement in the act of homosexuality will be sentenced to life imprisonment. 

The bill also introduced a penalty of 3 years imprisonment for a child found guilty of homosexuality.

The mover of the bill also Bugiri Municipality Mp Asumani Basalirwa had proposed 10 years imprisonment for aggravated homosexuality but the legal and parliamentary affairs committee that scrutinized the bill recommended the death penalty for those who commit the offense. A person convicted of promoting, and aiding homosexuality will be penalized with 20 years in prison.

Media houses that publish materials or advertise to promote homosexuality will be fined 1 billion shillings equivalent to 5000 currency points and have the license of that particular house revoked for a period of 10  years.

The clause that had been proposed for the extradition of persons found in the act was deleted and also rejected the Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi’s proposal for the castration of persons found in the practice.

The speaker of parliament Annet  Anita Among said that parliament will continue to protect the morals and cultures of the people of Ugandans.

Before the bill was passed, there was a heated debate where the majority of the members said they needed a tuff law that will protect the traditional values and cultures of Uganda, which are currently threatened by external values including Homosexuality.

Arua central Mp Jackson Atima says by passing this bill, is a demonstration to the foreign nations that Uganda will not bend low because of financial gains.

Buyaga west MP Barnabas Tinkasimire said that the law will protect children from acts of Homosexuality, especially in schools.

"  You cannot urge on issues that are seriously affecting and torturing our children,  Hon speaker Professor Mbiti in his book  African traditions and institutions, said we should only promote African traditions that add value to our cultures, in this matter that is so foreign I don't see anything promoting our cultures"Tinkasimire submitted.

The supporters of the bill now wait for a final decision from President Yoweri Museveni on whether to sign it to become law. 

 The bill was first passed by parliament in 2014 but nullified by the constitutional court on grounds that it was passed without the required quorum.